After a standout career at Warren Easton under legendary coach and Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Famer, Johnny Brechtel, he went on to play at LSU.

As a senior in 1943, scored four touchdowns in the opening game upset of Georgia and never looked back, finishing the year with 98 points (top in the nation) and 847 rushing yards (second in the nation) - both were LSU records which stood until the 1970s.

Selected for the Orange Bowl after the 1943 season, Van Buren had 24 carries for 160 yards while running for one score and passing for another in LSU's 19-14 upset of Texas A&M, the first bowl victory in LSU history.

Selected as an All-Pro as a Philadelphia Eagles' rookie in 1944 - an honor he would receive four more times in his career.

Led the NFL in rushing four times in his eight-year career, including 1945, when he led the league in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns. He was the first NFL player to break the 1,000-yard rushing barrier twice.

Also led the Eagles to three state NFL title games, with victories in two of them.

Closed his NFL career with 5,860 yards and 77 touchdowns, while also tallying nine interceptions on defense.

Born in La Ceiba, Honduras, he was sent to New Orleans at a young age to live with his grandparents after his parents died.

Also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1965) and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (1961).